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  • The End of the Affair

  • By: Graham Greene
  • Narrated by: Colin Firth
  • Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (3,209 ratings)
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The End of the Affair cover art

The End of the Affair

By: Graham Greene
Narrated by: Colin Firth
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Editor reviews

Winner of the Audie Awards Audiobook of the Year 2013 and nominated for the Audie Awards Solo Narration of the Year 2013, The End of the Affair is written by British novelist Graham Greene and narrated by British actor Colin Firth. First published in 1951, this evocative novel has been adapted into two films by the same name in 1955 and again in 1999, as well as an opera. Set in London towards the end of World War II, it follows the ending of a love affair between a deeply religious, married woman and a writer at the outset of fame. Available now from Audible.

Summary

Audie Award Winner, Audiobook of the Year, 2013.

Audie Award Nominee, Best Solo Narration, 2013.

Graham Greene's evocative analysis of the love of self, the love of another, and the love of God is an English classic that has been translated for the stage, the screen, and even the opera house.

Academy Award-winning actor Colin Firth (The King's Speech, A Single Man) turns in an authentic and stirring performance for this distinguished audio release. The End of the Affair, set in London during and just after World War II, is the story of a flourishing love affair between Maurice Bendrix and Sarah Miles. After a violent episode at Maurice's apartment, Sarah suddenly and without explanation breaks off the affair.

This very intimate story about what actually constitutes love is enhanced by Mr. Firth's narration, who said "this book struck me very, very particularly at the time when I read it and I thought my familiarity with it would give the journey a personal slant. I'm grateful for this honor," Firth said when this production was recognized by the Audie Awards as Audiobook of the Year for 2013, "and grateful for the opportunity to narrate one of my favorite stories. A great novel told in the first person makes for the best script an actor could imagine. None better than The End of the Affair.... Theater and film each offer their own challenges and rewards, but narration is a new practice for me and the audiobook performance provides exhilarating possibilities for both actors and listeners. I'm thrilled to be involved in bringing this remarkable work of fiction to a wider audience, and thankful to Audible for offering me the opportunity to perform it and to engage with so many who share my passion for storytelling."

©1951 Graham Greene (P)2015 Audible, Inc

What listeners say about The End of the Affair

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  • 31-10-16

Depressing story but beautifully performed

Colin Firth does a wonderful job here of telling the story of a man tortured by the loss of his love affair. There is much reference to Catholic guilt as Greene explores his own relationship, troubled as it was, with the Catholic faith.
It was a great listen, if not exactly uplifting.

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31 people found this helpful

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Wonderful words; beautifully read

I love Graham Greene's writing style and Colin Firth gives a super performance narrating the masterful prose. Great story-telling, I just couldn't quite "buy" the key relationship between Bendrix and Sarah. Can we petition Colin Firth for some more books?

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25 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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An affair with no end

Any additional comments?

This is one of Graham Greene's deeply serious, tortured Catholic novels, this one based on his own affair with a woman to whom he dedicated the novel. Published in 1951, filmed in the 50s, it's set towards the end of the Second World War. Maurice Bendrix is deeply in love with Sarah, the wife of a dull civil servant Henry Miles. Maurice is consumed with jealousy and is desperate for Sarah to leave Henry which her faith cannot allow her to do. So wild does his destructive jealousy become that Maurice has his lover followed, only to find that his 'living rival' is Christ. He is convinced that God has ruined his happiness, just as a harvester destroys a mouse and much of the novel is an analysis of this agony suffered not just by Maurice but also by Sarah who has to face even greater suffering as the story progresses. It's a novel which would not be published today - it is entirely of its time.What makes it such a stunning period piece is Colin Firth's narration. He draws us into the labyrinth of pain suffered by Maurice, Sarah and Henry, so much so that it is a relief to come out into the light when the novel ends.

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21 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The perfect performance of an extraordinary book

This has got to be the most realistically heart-breaking book I have ever read.

What's worse is that the beauty of its language and imagery, and its theological arguments are likely to drive me back to it over and over again.

I suspect I am going to drown in this book

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19 people found this helpful

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challenging

Excellent in every department. Characters excellent, particularly Maurice and Sarah. Henry maybe a little stereotyped. Gritty and earthy struggles with believable emotions and managed to introduce a real spiritual struggle without resorting to clichés.

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19 people found this helpful

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Colin Firth sublime

This was a wonderful story, made all the better by Colin Firth's sublime performance. His voice was like a caress and his delivery engaging - beautifully, beautifully read. More books narrated by Mr Firth please? I can't seem to find any but would be persuaded to try a book outside my comfort zone, so impressed was I (& no, I did not get wobbly knees over Mr Darcy - it's just that he REALLY IS GOOD!)

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18 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Slow start

It was a slow story to start with but very addictive towards the end. Brilliant performance from Colin Firth, he could make a telephone book sound exciting!

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16 people found this helpful

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A -MA-ZING!!!!!!!!!!

I love this book. It is such a compelling story. It is beautifully written, the words are selected one by one like an artist chooses his colors and shapes. I will listen to it again. The narrator was impeccable. He let you dive in the story of every character so well, that even a simple breath can make you believe this is real. Just close your eyes and let him take to London 1945. A story of love, a story of hate, a story of love again. Believe...

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16 people found this helpful

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So good

This book is so cleverly written.
The story is so good.
The final chapters linger in the mind.
This book was written when the English language was so descriptive and not tainted by, dare I say, American influence !

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15 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful

Loved it!! Beautifully read..Colin Firth makes it even more enjoyable..but nevertheless the book is so heartbreaking

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14 people found this helpful